In the fall of 2024, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) mailed letters to parents who once had an open dependency and/or severance case.
Did you receive a letter? Visit the DCS letter page for more information.
I just got served with divorce papers. What do I do?
You (the respondent) may want to file a Response whether or not you agree with what is written in the divorce (dissolution of marriage) papers. Your deadline to file the response is 20 days after you were served (30 days if you were served outside of Arizona).
Whether you agree on everything in the petition or not, you will want to state your side in your response. If you and your spouse do not come to a full agreement, the court may set the matter for a hearing or require that you attend a program, such as counseling, or require additional steps, such as mediation.
If you choose not to respond, your spouse may file for a default judgment and the judge may award the person filing what was asked for in the divorce paperwork. Default judgments may be filed 60 calendar days after you were served divorce paperwork.
Resources:
Arizona divorce or legal separation flowchart
Arizona Divorce forms with Children
Arizona Divorce Forms without Children
Find My Court - Arizona Superior Courts location information